Handcraft Industries and Mining in Pre- colonial Africa

The environment refers to the physical conditions in a place. For instance, in the African continent some communities live near large water masses, others live near the tropical forests, while others live the drier areas such as the Sahel. All these environmental conditions influence the economic activities of the people.

Technology is scientific knowledge that is used practically. For example, technology can be used to design new tools and machines. The use of technology makes economic production more efficient.

Technological development refers to the gradual improvement of scientific knowledge, which also leads to the improvement of skills, machines and tools.

Man used hands and skills to produce tools and weapons of these industries.

Industries are the place where raw materials are processed into finished goods e.g. cotton-cloth.

1. Salt making industries
2. Iron working
3. Copper mining
4. Gold mining
5. Pottery making
6. Spinning and weaving industries
7. Bark-cloth industries
8. Canoe making industries

These are industries, which engaged in production of salt in pre-colonial Africa.

Methods of Obtaining Salt

From Different Reeds

Reeds were collected, dried and burned, the ashes would be filtered while the ashes remain liquid would be evaporated and residue would be used as salt.

Places:

• Near Lake Victoria
• Kyoga
• Albert
• Among Baganda and Bahaya tribes
• Among Mang'anja people near shores of Lake Nyasa

Boiling and Evaporating Method

Sea or ocean water put into pans and left to evaporate, the salt crystals would be collected and used as salt.

Places: Around coastal areas.

Salt Mining

Salt was mined underneath rocks.

Places:

• At Taghaza
• Bilma around Lake Chad in western Sudan
• Near Lake Bangwela
• River Luapala in central Africa

Water by Fire

Spring water containing salt was boiled and finally salt was obtained.

Places: Uvinza salt spring along River Malagarasi in central Africa.

Uses of Salt

1. Salt is used as an ingredient in cookery
2. Food preservation
3. It is used as medicine i.e. on freshly cut wounds
4. It was used as a medium of exchange (trade exchange)
5. Animal hides were cured using salt before used to make cloth
6. In Egypt salt was used to preserve a dead body (Mummification)
7. It is used for adding flavor taste for the food in the kitchen
8. It is used for preservation of food like fish and meat

By the beginning of the 19th century, many African societies had developed the ability to produce their own iron. This industry was crucial for the development of tools, weapons, and other implements necessary for agriculture, warfare, and daily life. Blacksmiths played a key role in the production and shaping of iron products.

Major Iron Production Areas in Africa

The production of iron was widespread across Africa. Some notable areas and communities involved in the iron industry include:

Tanzania

Iron deposits were found in:

• Itewe, near Chunya
• Liganga
• Uluguru Mountains

Sudan

The Nubians, living along the River Nile, were skilled in iron production.

West Africa

Regions along the Futa Djallon and the Niger River were known for iron production.

Malawi

The Mang'anja people were notable blacksmiths and producers of iron.

South Africa

The Venda people of northern Transvaal were prominent in the iron industry.

Zambia

The Mashona people were skilled in iron production.

Importance of Iron Production

1. Agriculture: Iron tools, such as hoes and plows, improved farming efficiency.
2. Weapons: Iron weapons gave communities an advantage in warfare.
3. Trade: Iron products became valuable trade items within and beyond Africa.
4. Social Development: Blacksmiths held significant status in their societies due to their specialized skills.

Uses of Iron

1. Iron was used to make agricultural tools
2. Iron was used to make weapons i.e. spears, swords etc.
3. Iron was a medium of exchange; some people used iron bars or hoes as taken when paying bride price i.e. the Sukuma in the northern west Tanganyika.
4. Iron was also a measure of wealth, people who had more iron than others were considered wealthy.
5. Iron was an important trade commodity i.e. Masai traded cattle for iron weapons from the Pare and the Kikuyu
6. Some objects used in religious ceremonies were made of iron i.e. Yoruba made iron objects to honor Ogun (the God of iron and war)

The production and use of copper in pre-colonial Africa was widespread. Pure copper from the earth's surface. By 300 BC, the Egyptians were already producing copper. Ibo and Yoruba in Nigeria. Central Kafue River and the Gwai River in Zambia. South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo formerly known as Zaire.

Uses of Copper

1. It is used to make ornaments such as bangles and earrings for example Ndebele women wore copper and brass necklaces, rings as a symbol of representing their husband's wealth.
2. Used to make pots, pans and other utensils.
3. Used to make weapons such as daggers and knives.
4. Bars of copper were used as a medium of exchange and measure of value.
5. Copper was used as trade commodity.

Gold was one among the first metals to be used in Africa. It was easy to find gold near the earth's surface. In most parts of Africa, gold was found in the riverbed. Gold was obtained by washing gold-bearing rocks for example River Sabi and River Zambezi. In Ashanti and Gyain in Ghana and Meroe in Sudan.

Uses of Gold

1. It is used to make various types of ornaments for example rings, earrings, necklace and bracelets (made finery masks for the pharaohs in Egypt).
2. Gold used to make weapons for example knives, handles especially for important rulers.
3. Gold was used in making utensils such as plates, cups and spoons for the rich.
4. In Egypt, gold was used to make coins.
5. Gold was an important trade commodity; in East Africa, the town of Kilwa became prosperous due to gold trade.
6. Gold was used as a currency as well as measure of wealth.
7. Rich people used gold to decorate buildings.

Pottery was practiced in areas where there was clay soil. Famous people were Akamba, Kisii, Batwa, Gisu and Pare.

Advantages of Pottery

1. Enables communities to make containers for cooking food.
2. Produced containers for storing water, milk, beer and grains.
3. Pottery produce items or goods for trade for example Masai exchange cattle for pottery.
4. Pottery containers were used for serving food and drinks at homes.

Some people were skilled in making various items by weaving. The required raw materials included grasses, leaves and fibers. In East Africa, the Luo were experts in basketry and Nyakyusa were experts in making mats.

Advantages of Weaving and Basketry

1. Some communities built houses and boats.
2. Supplied communities with items such as beds and mats.
3. Provided items for trade.
4. Provided containers to carry loads easily, for example Kikuyu and Kamba (Kenyans).
5. Woven fish traps and nets.
6. Provided storage for agricultural produce.

Textile production is the making of cloth from different materials. Bark cloth was made from tree barks among the Nyakyusa, Buhaya and Buganda. Silk production was mainly in Nigeria and Madagascar. Wool obtained from sheep, goat, and camel. The Yoruba in Nigeria and in Guinea mainly grew cotton. Among the Fipa, items were made textile including prepared blankets, carpets and clothes.